SPRING may be in the air, yet many households still have their heating cranked up.
Worryingly, costs are about to climb next month when the energy price cap is set to go up from £1,738 to £1,849.
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This change will kick in from April 1, making it more important than ever to ensure you’re being as efficient as possible around the home.
But what you might not realise, according to one energy pro, is that an easy error with your thermostat could be costing you.
This is according to Matthew Jenkins, heating expert, from MyJobQuote.co.uk.
He told The Sun: “Many people set theirs up and then forget about it.
Read more on Energy Bills
“But over time, dust and debris can accumulate inside and around your thermostat – particularly around the sensor.”
A thermostat controls the temperature of your house or flat by linking to your boiler.
A build-up of dirt acts as an insulator and could lead to inaccurate readings.
Matthew said: “This can affect the thermometer’s ability to accurately read the correct temperature in the room.
“As a result, your heating system could end up running for longer than necessary – or it could fail to kick in when it should.”
The heating whizz warns that if your thermostat is struggling to get the true temperature due to a layer of dust, you may find yourself notching it up by just one degree to compensate.
“You may think this is a minor adjustment,” said Matthew.
“However, these seemingly small adjustments can very quickly add up.”
Experts have previously told The Sun that turning up your thermostat by just one degree can add £100 to your bills.
Do this multiple times and you could end up adding £100s unnecessarily.
Matthew added: “By the same token nudging your thermostat down by one degree can help you save up to 10% on your bills.
“Over the course of a year, this can translate into a significant amount of savings.”
So what action should you take in order to remove the temptation to tinker with your settings?
The key is to keep your thermostat clean – as this will help improve its performance and ensure your home is getting heated efficiently.
The good news is, it’s very easy to do. Simply wipe down your gizmo from time to time, paying particular attention to the sensor.
You can start by using a damp non-abrasive cloth to wipe away any residue.
If you’re very careful, you can use a little mild disinfectant – but be sure to squeeze out all the liquid so the cloth is only damp.
You do not want any moisture gathering on the device.
At Sainsbury’s, you can get a 1-litre bottle of disinfectant for £1.40. Be sure to read – and follow – the instructions.
If you decide to remove the thermostat cover, take care not to touch any of the interior parts with your fingers.
Go very gently with a clean, soft paintbrush – and blow it clean. Dust the cover before putting it back on.
Note that smart thermostats do not require interior cleaning.
Invest a little effort and you will soon reap the benefits, according to the energy aficionado.
“Firstly, it will mean your heating system isn’t running for longer than required,” said Matthew.
“Secondly it should mean you won’t need to bump up the temperature.”
In addition it could extend the lifespan of your thermostat.
Matthew added: “All these things can help prevent energy waste and help you save on your bills.”
Also bear in mind that with the worry of the new energy price cap looming ever closer, one of the best things you can do to help keep costs down is maintain your thermostat at a regular temperature.
The Energy Saving Trust recommends your device should be set to the lowest comfortable temperature, which for most is between 18°C and 21°C.
More energy-saving hacks
Keeping your thermostat dust and dirt-free isn’t Matthew’s only energy-saving tip.
“Ensuring your boiler is running efficiently is also crucial,” he said.
As part of this, it’s important to get your unit serviced regularly. You should aim to get this done annually by a Gas Safe engineer.
Matthew added: “Another simple hack is to reduce your boiler’s flow temperature to 60°C. This can help you save another £100 a year on your bills.”
The key, he adds, is to make lots of little adjustments.
“Combine ‘cleaning your thermostat’ with other energy-saving practices, and you will soon see some significant savings when it comes to the amount you’re spending heating your home,” he said.
Carry out a spring clean
While you’ve got your marigolds on, it’s worth giving other areas a clean, too.
As with thermostats, debris and dust can also build up on the surface of radiators and towel rails, forming an insulating layer that reduces heat output.
It’s essential to give your units a once-over to ensure heat can circulate effectively.
You can wipe down the surfaces with a cloth dunked in a bucket of hot water and washing up liquid.
You can buy a 320ml bottle of washing up liquid at Tesco for £1.
Having done this, you can then use a long-handled brush or vacuum cleaner to reach the tight spaces in and behind radiators.
While you’re giving your units some TLC, it’s also worth checking if they need bleeding.
If your radiators are full of trapped air, this could lead to inefficiencies that might increase energy bills unnecessarily.
According to energy experts, the suggested date to turn off your heating to get ready for spring is March 30.
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